For more than 40 years Eagle Watch Weekends have been taking place throughout the Kentucky State Parks. This year, three parks in or near Marshall County will be taking advantage of this special Eagle viewing time, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Kenlake State Resort Park and Lake Barkley State Resort Park.

During the winter season, as rivers freeze over, Bald Eagles migrate south in search of ample food supplies. Most travel further south for fish, while others travel to busy locks and dams. “Kentucky Parks are home to more than 350 Bald Eagles.” Brent McCarty, Conservation Educator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said, “There are more eagles in this area now than any other time.”

The Kentucky Dam Village will be hosting their annual Eagle Watch Weekend Jan. 11 - 13. They invite you to join the tradition as the national bird gathers around some of the major waterways in search for food. One can learn about the bird of prey while on board the CQ Princess, a 96-foot yacht and/or a bus tour of Ballard Wildlife Management area. State Park naturalists and Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists will be close by teaching and ready to assist. Two educational evening programs (Eagles 101 and a Live Raptor Program) are also included in the tour. Ticket prices for the tours range from $17.50 to $50 a person. For more information phone Scot Ratzlaff at 362-4271.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park will host their Eagle weekend Jan. 25 - 27. They will have tours on the CQ Princess along with van tours. The van tour consists of a 30-45 minutes ride to the first stop, followed with an easy walk to the viewing station. State Park Naturalist will be present on each tour. Programs are also planned that will offer the opportunity to see and learn about live Birds of Prey from expert speakers. For more information or to register contact Mary or Nick at 1-800-325-1708.

The Kenlake State Resort Park will host their Eagle watching weekend Feb. 1 - 3. In addition to tours aboard the CQ Princess, programs will be offered Friday, Feb. 1, and Saturday, Feb. 2, presented by Lake Barkley State Park Naturalist Mary Schmidt and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The price for this tour is $50. Register by contacting the park at 1-800-325-0143.

The Kentucky Department of Parks hosted a tour for the media on Jan. 7 out of Kentucky Dam Village. We were able to cruise in the CQ Princess and saw 21 Bald Eagles and one Golden Eagle, which is very rare. We were alongside multiple naturalists who were very informative.